After 240 years of royal Hindu rule, Nepal is due to become a republic. What does this mean for the country?
A newly-elected assembly is to meet in the capital, Kathmandu, to abolish the monarchy. Thousands of people gathered on the streets of the capital and near the assembly in support of “republic day”. The Maoists, who emerged as the largest party in last month’s elections, are committed to removing the royal family. Nepal’s progress towards becoming the world’s newest republic has been marred by bombs being planted in the capital for two days running this week.
Though this is a promising start, Nepal still has a long way to go to become anything like a functioning modern democracy which benefits all its citizens, not just the Katmandu elite and rural landlords. King or President, the tendency to autocracy runs deep in the social structure. In any case, the fate of the Gorkha dynasty was settled seven summers ago in that bloodcurdling palace massacre. Now we can just hope there will be balance of power between the Maoists and the Centrists & that compromise will prevail for the sake of the citizens who are yearning a democratic representation.
For more, see this piece in the Economist.
Published Date: June 02, 2008